Wound guard bandage

ABSTRACT

A disposable bandage for covering a wound area of a skin surface includes a self adhesive first fastener portion and a second fastener portion, a dome having a generally rectilinear shape and constructed from a thin rigid material, the dome being coupled to the first fastener portion along one edge and coupled to the second fastener portion along a second edge. The dome includes pleats that extend across the dome shape from the top edge to the bottom edge of the dome. A gasket is formed of a stretchable material and extends around the underside of the dome. The gasket is held in contact with the skin surface when the first fastener portion and the second fastener portion are pressed to a user&#39;s skin and, when the first fastener portion and the second fastener portion are moved away from each other, the pleats are unfolded and the gasket material is stretched and remains in contact with the skin surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to bandages for covering woundsand, more particularly, to bandages with protective structures thatshield wounds from further injury and promote healing.

2. Description of the Related Art

Bandages are used to provide protection for wounds, cuts, incisions,abrasions, and other injuries to the skin, herein referred to as woundareas. Bandages generally cover a wound area to keep the underlyinginjured tissue from dirt, contaminants, and abrasions that mightdislodge healing tissue or expose the healing tissue to foreign matterthat would otherwise impede the natural progress of healing. In thisway, bandages enhance the healing process while attempting to shield theinjured tissue.

Some types of disposable bandages comprise a gauze-like pad and anadhesive tape strip that extends over the gauze pad so that the adhesivetape extensions can secure the bandage against the skin and cover thewound. When the gauze pad becomes worn or soiled, or when the underlyingwound is healed, the bandage can be pulled off and discarded.Unfortunately, the healing tissue can sometimes become entangled withthe gauze pad and can result in difficulties or even re-injury when thebandage is removed.

Although the disposable bandage is quite convenient and promoteshealing, most disposable bandages provide very little in the way of areasonably sterile environment for the wound area. Dirt and liquids canpass around and beneath the adhered gauze pad of the disposable bandageand can contaminate the wound area, thereby impeding the healingprocess. In addition, many bandages do little to protect the wound areafrom physical impact and abrasions. Such impacts and abrasions can beencountered with everyday activities, including activities such assimply dressing oneself or moving about during the day. Such impacts andabrasions can be very painful, and can even result in damage to thehealing tissue. Moreover, many bandages cannot accommodate movement ofjoints and limbs to protect wound areas. That is, when many disposablebandages are applied to a wound area of a person, simple movement oflimbs or joints can destroy any semblance of a sterile environmentoffered by the adhesive bandage, because the gauze pad tends to belifted away from the skin when limb movement occurs. The lifting awayfrom the skin allows penetration by outside contaminants and even water,which by itself can impede the healing process.

The description above indicates there is a need for disposable bandagesthat provide protection for wounds, cuts, incisions and abrasions, andthat can accommodate limb and joint movement and also serve as a shieldfor the wound area. The present invention satisfies this need.

SUMMARY

A disposable bandage for covering a wound area of a skin surfaceincludes a first fastener portion and a second fastener portion, eachhaving an underside surface provided with an adhesive, a dome structurehaving a generally rectilinear shape and constructed from a rigidmaterial that is constructed to provide flex. The rectilinear shape ofthe dome structure has a first side edge, a second side edge, a topedge, and a bottom edge, and the dome is coupled to the first fastenerportion along the first side edge and coupled to the second fastenerportion along the second side edge. The rigid material of the domestructure includes pleats that extend across the dome shape from the topedge to the bottom edge of the dome. A gasket is formed of a stretchablematerial and extends around the underside of the first side edge, topedge, second side edge, and bottom edge of the dome structure. Thegasket is held in contact with the skin surface when the skin adhesiveof the first fastener portion and the second fastener portion areremovably adhered to a user's skin and, when the first fastener portionand the second fastener portion are moved away from each other, thepleats are unfolded and the gasket material is stretched and remains incontact with the skin surface. In this way, the disposable bandageprovides protection for wounds and can accommodate limb and jointmovement.

In one aspect of the bandage, the gasket provides a generally sterileenvironment for the underlying wound area. The pleats allow the domestructure to expand and flex with movement of limbs and joints, therebymaintaining the sterile environment provided by the gasket seal. Thedome can be constructed of a vapor permeable material so that airflowcan be permitted over the wound area, but liquid passage is prevented.In this way, the healing process is not likely to be compromised byphysical impacts and abrasions, and a reasonably sterile environment canbe provided in which the healing progress can take place, resulting infaster healing and freedom from painful impacts and abrasions fromeveryday activities. The dome can be constructed from a variety ofmaterials, such as an opaque material, or a clear material for viewingthe wound site, or a material that changes appearance for indicatinginfection, or a combination of materials.

Other features and advantages of the present invention should beapparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment,which illustrates, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wound guard bandage and containerpacket embodiment that are constructed in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the FIG. 1 bandage in its contracted state.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the FIG. 1 bandage in its contracted state.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the FIG. 1 bandage in its deployed state.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the FIG. 1 bandage in its deployed state.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of the FIG. 1 bandage.

FIG. 7 shows detail from the channel and flange arrangement of FIG. 6.

FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11 show construction of a wound guard bandage inwhich the gasket includes a channel formed from a lip or singleoverhang.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show construction of a wound guard bandage in which thegasket includes a slit forming a receiving channel for the domestructure.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a wound guard bandage laid flat.

FIG. 15 shows the FIG. 14 bandage curved to illustrate the flex of thedome structure and gasket.

FIG. 16 shows the FIG. 14 bandage stretched laterally and curved toillustrate the flex of the dome structure and gasket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a disposable bandage product 102embodiment constructed in accordance with the present invention,comprising a wound guard bandage 104 and packaging 106. The wound guardbandage 104 is enclosed within the packet 104 until the bandage is to beused, at which time the packet 106 is opened and the bandage is removed.For removal, the packet can be provided with a scored section 108 orother construction that can be easily torn away to open the packet andpermit the bandage to be withdrawn and applied to the skin. The. bandage104 promotes healing of a wound area by providing a reasonably sterileenvironment around the wound area, keeping out liquid and contaminants,protecting the wound area from physical impact and abrasions, andfacilitating the flow of air to the skin surface of the wound area. Theproduct 102 can be easily transported but yet the bandage 104 ismaintained sterile in the packet 106 until use,

The wound guard bandage 104 includes a first fastener portion 110 and asecond fastener portion 112 that are attached laterally to a domestructure 114. A gasket 116 is provided around the underside of the domestructure. The first and second fastener portions 110, 112 are providedwith a self-adhesive coating on their underside, as with conventionaldisposable self-adhesive bandage products, so that the self adhesivecoatings can be pressed against the skin surface and be removablyfastened to the skin adjacent a wound area. When the adhesive portionsof the bandage 104 are pressed taut to the skin, the gasket 116 islikewise pressed against the skin, and provides a sterile seal againstthe passage of liquid, dirt, and contaminants to the wound area.

The packaging 1.06 can comprise a foil pack or similar packet that canreceive the bandage 104. Thus, the packet 106 can be convenientlycarried about in a pocket or purse without danger of breaking orcontaminating the bandage. The bandage can be produced in differentsizes according to the size of the wound area it is to protect. Thepackaging can be configured to readily indicate different sizedbandages. For example, blue packaging can be used for bandages up to agiven size, and other sizes can be placed in red packaging, or greenpackaging, and so forth. Other product distinctions can be indicated bycolor coding of the packet in addition to legends or labeling. Forexample, as described further below, different embodiments of thebandage can be provided with medication or topical lotions. Color codingcan be used to indicate medicated and non-medicated versions. Otherproduct differences can be indicated by packet distinctions, as desired.

FIG. 2 is a detailed top view of the bandage 104 placed over a woundarea (not visible in FIG. 2) of a skin surface 105. FIG. 2 shows the topsurface of the bandage, with the first fastener portion 110 right-mostedge indicated by a dashed line 118 and the second fastener portion 112left-most edge indicated by a dashed line 120. The edges of the fastenerportions are not otherwise visible in the top view because the domestructure 114 is attached to the first and second fastener portion ends,thereby obscuring their respective edges in the top view. The interioredge or rim of the gasket 116 on the underside of the bandage 104 isindicated by a dashed line 122, to indicate the width of the gasket. Thetop 124 and bottom 126 edges of the gasket 116 are visible extending outfrom beneath the dome structure 114 and fastener portions 110, 112.

FIG. 2 shows that the dome structure 114 includes pleats 128 or foldsthat give the dome structure its combination of rigidity andflexibility. In FIG. 2, only a few of the pleats are identified with areference numeral 128, for simplicity of illustration, but it should beapparent that the pleats extend transversely across the dome structurein FIG. 2 from the top edge 130 of the dome to the bottom edge 132 ofthe dome, and are provided substantially along the lateral length of thedome structure 114. The dome structure is constructed from a thin rigidmaterial, such as plastic or dense paperboard. When the bandage 104 isremoved from the packet 106, the pleats are in a compressed state,folded up, for compact storage. The FIG. 2 illustration shows the pleats128 in the compressed condition. When the bandage is placed on the skin105, the pleats permit the dome structure to have sufficient flexibilityto stretch, becoming unfolded or deployed, and thereby move withmovement of joints or limbs while maintaining adhesion of the first 110and second 112 fastener portions of the bandage to the skin. Thus,placement of the bandage on the skin is maintained.

The dome structure 114 can be constructed from a variety of materials.For example, the dome can be constructed with a clear material forviewing the wound site. Alternatively, the dome structure can beconstructed from an opaque material, so as to shield the wound site fromview, for those who prefer not to view the site. The dome can also beconstructed with a material that changes appearance to indicateinfection. For example, some materials change color according to theirtemperature. A color change can thereby indicate the presence ofincreasing heat at the wound site, which can indicate infection in thewound area. Other materials that can be used for the dome structuremight change appearance due to biological factors at the wound site,such as bacterial activity or in response to other infectiousbiochemical reactions. These materials and others (and combinationsthereof) can be used for construction of the dome.

The gasket 116 is constructed of a stretchable material, such as asynthetic sponge material, and extends around the dome structureproximate the first fastener side edge 118, under the dome top edge 130,beneath the dome structure proximate the second fastener side edge 120,and beneath the bottom edge 132 of the dome structure. When the adhesiveof the first fastener portion 110 and the second fastener portion 112are removably adhered to a user's skin 105, the gasket 116 is heldagainst the skin surface to form a seal against the passage of liquid,dirt, and contaminants. That is, the adhesive fastener portions 110, 112hold the gasket 116 taut against the skin surface 105. When the usermoves a limb or joint, the bandage might be effected by the distancebetween the first and second fastener portions changing. Because thedistance between the pleats can change when they are unfolded, andbecause the gasket can stretch, the distance between the first andsecond fastener portions can increase without breaking the seal betweenthe gasket and the skin surface. Thus, the sterile environment beneaththe dome that is closed off by the gasket, is maintained intact. Ifdesired, the bottom of the gasket 116 can be provided with aself-adhesive coating, to further encourage maintenance of the sterileseal. An adhesive gasket bottom would encourage maintenance of thesterile environment in situations where the distance between the firstand second fastener portions is reduced with movement of limbs orjoints.

The pleats 128, extending vertically up and down in the drawings, arefixed with respect to the distance between the top edge 130 and thebottom edge 132. Preferably, the relative dimensions of the foldspacing, the width of the first 110 and second 112 fastener portions,and the width of the dome structure 114, are such that the domestructure has a slight curve from one edge 130 to the other 132. Thus,the pleats impart an amount of rigidity to the dome structure, as thepleats comprise multiple arches in the dome structure. Thus, the domestructure 114 is sufficiently rigid to resist physical impact andabrasions from everyday activities and prevents such physical forcesfrom being transferred to the wound site. In this way, the domestructure of the bandage 104 provides a protective shield for theunderlying wound site, and in combination with the gasket 116 maintainsthe sterile environment.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the FIG. 1 bandage in its contracted state,prior to fastening to the skin surface. FIG. 3 shows the underside 302of the dome structure 114, with some of the pleats 128 visible in thisbottom view. The full extent of the gasket 116 is visible in the FIG. 3bottom view illustration. As noted above, the underside of the gasket(the surface 304 that is visible in FIG. 3) can be provided with aself-adhesive coating to encourage maintenance of the seal between thegasket and the skin surface. The adhesive coating can comprise the samecoating that is applied to the underside of the first 110 and second 112fastener portions, such as removable adhesives used for conventionaldisposable bandages. In addition, either or both of the dome underside302 and the gasket underside 304 can be provided with a medication orantiseptic coating or other substance or additive to promote health suchas by improved healing and sterility. The underside 302 of the domestructure can be provided with a health-promoting substance in the formof a pad or medicated gauze or coating, as desired for the intendedapplication. Contact should not occur between the dome and the woundsite.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the bandage 104 showing it in its deployedstate, as contrasted with the compressed state shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4depicts how the bandage 104 would appear, for example, if the bandagewas applied near a joint, and then after attachment the joint was bentor flexed. FIG. 4 indicates that the joint movement results in the firstfastener portion 110 moving away from the second fastener portion 112 inthe direction of the double headed arrows 404. FIG. 4 shows that thepleats 128 are moved further apart, as they become unfolded due to thefastener portions 110, 112 maintaining their grip on the skin, which hasbeen stretched by the joint movement, so that the distance between thefirst portion edge 118 and the second portion edge 120 has increasedfrom the compressed state of FIG. 2. It should be understood that thevertical lines 124 in the drawings represent peaks or valleys of thepleats in the dome structure. Hence, the number of pleats (verticallines) has not changed from FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, but the spacing betweenthe pleats has changed, as the fastener portions 110, 112 are pulledapart and the pleats are unfolded.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the bandage 104 in its deployed state,corresponding to the underside of the FIG. 4 stretched condition. FIG. 5shows that the gasket 116 has been stretched so that it is maintained incontact with the edges of the dome structure 114. As before, the spacingof the pleats 128 is increased from that shown in the compressed stateof FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. Thus, the distance between the first fastenerportion 110 and the second fastener portion 112 has increased, and thespacing between the peaks and valleys of the pleats 128 has increased,but the number of pleats remains unchanged.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of the bandage 104 attached to the skin105. The bandage 104 is shown in position over a wound site 640, withthe dome structure 114 extending from the first fastener portion 110 tothe second portion 112 and the gasket 116 encircling the underside ofthe dome structure to provide a sterile environment around the woundsite. As noted above, the fastener portions 110, 112 can be pulled tautand removably fastened to the skin 105 so as to press the gasket 116against the skin with a force applied in the direction of the arrows642. Thus, when the skin 105 is stretched, as with movement of joints orlimbs, the gasket 116 is maintained in contact with the skin and thesterile environment around the wound 640 is maintained. The gasketunderside 304 (FIG. 3) can be provided with an adhesive coating toaccentuate this effect.

FIG. 6 illustrates a construction detail demonstrating that the gasket116 can be provided with a channel 644 that receives the bottom edge ofthe dome structure 114. The channel can provide an expedientmanufacturing feature, making it easier to fasten the dome to the gasketand thereby reducing manufacturing costs. More particularly, the edge ofthe dome structure 114 can be provided with a lateral flange or lip 646.The flange provides increased area for the dome to make contact with thegasket and increases the security of the hold between the gasket and thedome. The flange 646 and the channel 644 can be provided independentlyof each other. That is, the dome structure 114 can be provided with aflange 646 even if there is no gasket channel 644, and the channel canbe provided even if the dome has no flange.

The dome structure can be coupled or fastened to the first portion 110and second portion 112 by a variety of means. For example, FIG. 7 showsdetail from the channel-and-flange arrangement.

FIG. 7 illustrates a bandage 700 in which the channel 644 receives theflanged end. 646 of the dome structure 114. The flanged end is providedby a lateral protrusion or extension of the dome. The channel 606 isformed by paired overhangs 702, 704 in the gasket material 116 such thatthe channel 644 has an open roof 706 configuration. The flanged end 646of the dome is sized so that it has greater width than the channelopening 706. The thickness of the flanged end is such that the flangedend has sufficient flexibility to flex and fit through the roof opening706 and then seat within the channel 644. The flanged end 646 thenresists pulling out of the channel. 644 and tends to stay in place, evenwith stretching of the gasket 116 and movement of limbs.

FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11 show a construction of the gasket with a channelformed from a lip or single overhang.

FIG. 8 shows a side perspective view of a wound guard bandage 800 with achannel 844 formed by an overhang 850 of gasket material 816. The domestructure 814 is formed with feet or pads 852 at the ends of the pleats828. FIG. 9 shows another perspective view of the flange 850 and dome814 with the pads 852, ready for insertion into the channel 844.

FIG. 10 shows that the ends of the pads 852 can slide beneath theoverhang 850 of the channel 844 such that the pads resist being pulledout from the overhang. The dome structure 814 has sufficient flexibilitythat the dome can flex during production and permit insertion of thepads 852 into the channel overhang 850. Thereafter, the pads resistbeing pulled out. The pads can slide laterally in the direction of thearrow 1002, thereby maintaining the seal between the dome 814 and thegasket 816, and thereby maintaining the environment beneath the dome.Alternatively, the pads 852 can be fastened in place within the channel844, such as by gluing or other bonding to the gasket channel. Fasteningthe pads in place is sufficient to ensure adequate flex of the domestructure to keep the wound area covered because the gasket 816 hassufficient stretch properties to permit flex between the pleats evenwithout relative movement between the gasket and the pads 852 when thefirst and second portions 110, 112 (FIG. 1) are moved apart.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment 1100 with a channel 802 formed in the gasketthat receives a dome structure 1114 having spaced apart cylinders orbeads 1160 at the ends of the pleats 1128. The beads of the FIG. 11embodiment have sufficient diameter that a portion of each bead will fitbeneath the channel overhang 850 while resisting being pulled out. Thatis, as was the case with the FIGS. 8, 9, 10 embodiment, the FIG. 11 domestructure 1114 has sufficient flexibility that the dome can flex duringproduction and permit insertion of the beads 1160 into the channeloverhang 850. Thereafter, the beads resist being pulled out.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show a construction of the gasket with a slit in thegasket forming a receiving channel for the dome structure.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the wound guard bandage 1200 with aslit 1270 formed in the gasket material 1216. The dome structure shownin FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 is formed with cylinders or beads 1160 like thoseillustrated in FIG. 11. Similarly, the beads 1160 of the FIGS. 12, 13embodiment have sufficient diameter that a portion of each bead will bereceived within the slit 1270 in the gasket 1216, which will partiallyclose over the beads after insertion, and will resist being pulled outfrom the slit. That is, the dome structure 1214 has sufficientflexibility that the dome can flex during production and permitinsertion of the beads 1160 into the channel slit 1270, whilethereafter, the beads resist being pulled out. FIG. 13 shows theappearance of the wound guard bandage 1200 after insertion of the beads1160 into the slit 1270 of the gasket 1216.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a wound guard bandage 1400 laid flat,showing the top or upper surface of the bandage. The bandage includes afirst fastener portion 1410 and a second fastener portion 1412 that areattached laterally to a dome structure 1414. A gasket 1416 is providedaround the underside of the dome structure. As described previously inconnection with the other embodiments, the first and second fastenerportions 1410, 1412 are provided with a self-adhesive coating on theirunderside, as is the case with conventional disposable self-adhesivebandage products, so that the self-adhesive coatings can be pressedagainst the skin surface of a user and so that the bandage can beremovably fastened to the skin adjacent a wound area. When the adhesiveportions of the bandage 1400 are pressed taut to the skin, the gasket1416 is likewise pressed against the skin, and provides a sterile sealagainst the passage of liquid, dirt, and contaminants to the wound area.Only a few of the pleats are identified in FIG. 14 with a referencenumeral 1428, for simplicity of illustration, but as with theillustrations of the other embodiments, it should be apparent that thepleats extend transversely across the dome structure from the top edge1430 of the dome to the bottom edge 132 of the dome, and are providedsubstantially along the lateral length of the dome structure 1414. Thedome structure of FIG. 14 shows approximately twelve pleats 1428, but agreater or lesser number of pleats can be provided, depending on thesize of the wound guard bandage, the intended application andenvironment of use for the bandage, and the material from which the domestructure is constructed.

FIG. 15 shows the FIG. 14 wound guard bandage 1400 in a curvedconfiguration to illustrate the flex of the dome structure 1414 andgasket 1416. One end of the first fastener portion 1410 appears to beraised 1480 because the portion of the dome structure 1414 covered bythe first fastener portion 1410 at that location is itself raised, andthe first fastener portion 1410 simply conforms to the raised domestructure. A similar circumstance applies to the second fastener portion1412. FIG. 15 shows that the dome structure can be bent, or flexed, awayfrom the laid flat position that is illustrated in FIG. 14. When thebandage 1400 is curved, such that the dome structure flexes by virtue ofthe pleats 1428, the gasket 1416 is sufficiently flexible so that italso flexes. FIG. 15 also shows that the dome structure 1414 itselfremains in anchored in the gasket channel 1444 when the bandage isflexed. The dome remains anchored either by virtue of the ends of thedome pleats being retained in the channel 1444 by an overhang or similarstructure, such as illustrated previously, or by virtue of the domepleat ends being fastened or bonded to the gasket 1416, or a combinationof the two.

FIG. 16 shows the FIG. 14 wound guard bandage 1400 stretched laterallyand also curved, to better illustrate the flex of the dome structure1414 and gasket 1416. In FIG. 16, it can be observed that the gasket1416 has been stretched or flexed as compared to its configuration inFIG. 14 and FIG. 15. This stretched condition should be apparent bynoting that the gasket 1416 in FIG. 16 has less thickness as comparedwith the condition of the gasket in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15. In general, thepleats 1428 in the expanded condition of FIG. 16 permit the domestructure 1428 to approximately double in length as compared to thecontracted condition of FIG. 14 and FIG. 15. It should be understood,however, that other stretch proportions are possible, depending on thesize of the pleats and the materials used in the construction of thegasket and the dome structure. Those skilled in the art will be able tomake suitable selection of materials in accordance with the environmentin which the wound guard bandage will be used, in view of thedescription herein.

Other modifications to the structures described herein are possible. Forexample, if desired, the dome structure such as described above can beconstructed of a vapor permeable material so that airflow can bepermitted over the wound area, but liquid passage into the sterileenvironment provided by the dome and the gasket is prevented. Vaporpermeable materials generally comprise a microporous membrane havingpores sufficiently large to permit passage of water vapor molecules andsufficiently small to block the passage of liquid water. Some commonlyknown vapor permeable materials that are suitable include materialsmanufactured under the trade name of “Gore-Tex”®. In this way, thehealing process is not likely to be compromised by physical impacts andabrasions, and a reasonably sterile environment can be provided in whichthe healing progress can take place, resulting in faster healing andfreedom from painful impacts and abrasions from everyday activities.

The dome structure can be constructed from an opaque material, or aclear (substantially transparent) material, or can be constructed with amaterial that changes appearance to indicate infection. Infection can beindicated, for example, by a material that changes color withtemperature, to indicate rising heat at the wound site, which can be anindicator of infection. Other materials might respond directly tobiochemical reactions to change their appearance and indicate thepresence of infection. These materials and others (and combinationsthereof) can be used for construction of the dome.

The dome structure can be provided with a medication or antisepticlotion or other additive. Alternatively, a pad such as a gauze materialcan be located on the underside of the dome for containing a medicationor antiseptic lotion or additive, to promote healing, reduce infection,and increase comfort. In any case, the gauze or other material oradditive should be provided so as to not make contact with the woundsite, so as to maintain a clear separation from the wound site andprevent becoming entangled with the healing tissue. Similarly, thegasket can be provided with medication or antiseptic lotions or otheradditives to promote healing, reduce infection, and increase comfort.

The wound guard bandage described herein provides a convenient means formaintaining a sterile environment around a wound site, so that thehealing process is not likely to be compromised by physical impacts andabrasions, and a reasonably sterile environment can be maintained inwhich the healing progress can take place, resulting in faster healingand freedom from painful impacts and abrasions from everyday activities.The pleats in the dome structure provide sufficient flexibility tomaintain a sterile environment over a person's wound site even asmovement of the person occurs, and the pleats provide sufficientresistance to movement of the dome structure toward the wound site toprovide protection against outside impacts directed toward the woundsite. The packaging for the bandage can comprise sealed foil packs orother easily opened packs that maintain a seal against outsidecontaminants. The packaging can be provided with coding to indicateconfigurations with different sizes and different constructions.

The present invention has been described above in terms of presentlypreferred embodiments so that an understanding of the present inventioncan be conveyed. There are, however, many configurations for bandagesnot specifically described herein but with which the present inventionis applicable. The present invention should therefore not be seen aslimited to the particular embodiments described herein, but rather, itshould be understood that the present invention has wide applicabilitywith respect to bandages generally. All modifications, variations, orequivalent arrangements and implementations that are within the scope ofthe attached claims should therefore be considered within the scope ofthe invention.

1. A disposable bandage for covering a wound area of a skin surface, thebandage comprising: a first fastener portion having an underside surfaceprovided with a self adhesive; a second fastener portion having anunderside surface provided with a self adhesive; a dome structure havinga generally rectilinear shape and constructed from a thin rigidmaterial, the dome structure having a first side edge, a second sideedge, a top edge, and a bottom edge, the dome structure coupled to thefirst fastener portion along the first side edge and coupled to thesecond fastener portion along the second side edge, and including pleatsthat extend across the dome structure from the dome top edge to the domebottom edge; a gasket extending around the first side edge, top edge,second side edge, and bottom edge of the rectilinear shape generallyalong a dome underside surface, wherein the gasket is formed of astretchable material; wherein the gasket is held in contact with theskin surface when the self adhesive of the first securing portion andthe second securing portion are removably adhered to a user's skin and,when the first securing portion and the second securing portion aremoved away from each other, the pleats are unfolded and the gasketmaterial is stretched and remains in contact with the skin surface.
 2. Abandage as defined in claim 1, further comprising a channel formed inthe gasket such that the edge of the dome can be received in thechannel.
 3. A bandage as defined in claim 1, further comprising a flangeformed along the edge of the dome structure.
 4. A bandage as defined inclaim 1, wherein the dome is constructed from a vapor permeable materialcomprising a microporous membrane having pores sufficiently large topermit passage of water vapor molecules and sufficiently small to blockthe passage of liquid water.
 5. A bandage as defined in claim 1, whereinthe dome is provided with an additive that promotes healing and reducesinfection.
 6. A bandage as defined in claim 1, wherein the dome isconstructed from a plastic material.
 7. A bandage as defined in claim 1,wherein the dome is constructed from a pressed paperboard material.
 8. Abandage as defined in claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the gasketincludes an open channel that receives the dome structure.
 9. A bandageas defined in claim 8, wherein the dome structure is fixed againstmovement relative to the gasket.
 10. A bandage as defined in claim 9,wherein the dome structure is bonded to the gasket.
 11. A bandage asdefined in claim 8, wherein the dome structure moves relative to thegasket.
 12. A bandage as defined in claim 8, wherein the dome structureincludes flanged extensions that are received into the open channel. 13.A bandage as defined in claim 8, wherein the dome structure includesbeads along the edges of the dome structure extending between the firstportion and the second portion.
 14. A bandage as defined in claim 8,wherein the upper surface of the gasket includes a slit that receivesthe dome structure.
 15. A bandage as defined in claim 8, wherein theopen channel is formed from an overhang on the upper surface of thegasket.
 16. A bandage as defined in claim 8, wherein the open channel isformed from opposed overhangs of the gasket.
 17. A bandage as defined inclaim 1, wherein the dome structure includes a health-promotingsubstance.
 18. A bandage as defined in claim 17, wherein thehealth-promoting substance is provided on the underside of the domestructure.
 19. A bandage as defined in claim 1, wherein the gasketincludes a health-promoting substance.
 20. A bandage as defined in claim1, wherein the dome structure is constructed from a clear material. 21.A bandage as defined in claim 1, wherein the dome structure isconstructed from a material that changes appearance to indicateinfection at the wound site.
 22. A bandage as defined in claim 21,wherein the dome structure material changes color in response to changesin temperature.
 23. A bandage as defined in claim 21, wherein the domestructure material changes color in response to an infectiousbiochemical reaction.
 24. A disposable bandage for covering a wound areaof a skin surface, the bandage comprising: a first fastener portionhaving an underside surface provided with a self adhesive; a secondfastener portion having an underside surface provided with a selfadhesive; dome means for providing a thin, rigid protective cover fromthe first fastener portion to the second fastener portion formaintaining the protective cover when the first fastener portion and thesecond fastener portion are pulled apart, thereby accommodating fastenerportion movement; sealing means for providing a seal beneath the domemeans to the skin surface and around the wound site and for maintainingthe seal as the dome means accommodates fastener movement.